Favorites

Everyone loves a good book and with the economy in the state it’s in, a book is the perfect gift.

It’s inexpensive

It’s portable

It’s an escape to another world

Here’s a more extensive list of reasons Random House came up with as to why books make great gifts:

It comes fully charged

Costs less than a bottle of champagne (the real stuff)

You can buy 10 hardcover books for the price of an iphone

Costs less than a movie (with popcorn)

Around the same price as a DVD, but the experience lasts much longer

It can change someone’s life

It can make someone laugh

Batteries are not required

It’s a thoughtful gift

A personal gift

One-stop shopping—your bookstore has the right gift for everyone on your list

It weighs much less than a fruitcake

It’s more original than a tie or a sweater

It’s a gift of escape, fun, romance, adventure

It’s easy to find

It’s easy to wrap

And you can never have too many

Enough said. Here are some of my recommendations:

I Scream, You Scream. Wendy Lyn Watson has a smart, fun new series starring Tally Jones. I’m drawn in by her quick, smart dialogue, and all the ice cream doesn’t hurt either. And want a great hero? Meet Finn!

Same Kind of Different as Me. This one’s a memoir and it is just fantastic. Really lets you see life through someone else’s eyes, and enlightens you to the way life is in America for some people.

The Faith Club. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to look at faith in a new way, who wants understanding of other people and their views, and who embraces the idea that we are all so similar underneath it all.

The Thirteenth Tale. A completely haunting and magnificent read. I loved this book!

The Secret Life of Bees. The movie started as a book and it’s a fabulous one. Full of larger than life characters, it shouldn’t be missed.

Gone With the Wind. A classic and although you have to supply the happy ending, this should hold a permanent spot on the bookshelf.

The Joy Luck Club. For mothers and daughters, this one is wonderful on so many levels. Powerful beyond words.

Outliers. Makes you think about success in a whole new way. Loved this! Great for a family book club, something we do with our teenage children.

Valley of the Dolls. Sexy. Before its time. Addictive. This is a fun book.